Automatic firearm disposed in a gun turret and pivotable in the vertical direction

ABSTRACT

A discharge duct arrangement for discharging belt links of a disintegrating cartridge belt from a firearm. The discharge duct arrangement is particularly adapted for belt links consisting of a double clip for holding a cartridge, a single clip for connecting the link to the next adjacent cartridge and a bracket connecting the double clip to the single clip. Three guide tracks are arranged in the discharge duct for slidably engaging the respective single clip, double clip and bracket as the links pass through the duct. These guide tracks are positioned such that only two of the tracks engage the belt at any given time and such that the belt link is inclined slightly as it is guided through the duct. When used with a pivotable turret, rotation of the duct with the turret may cause a tilting of the belt clip and consequent disengagement from one of the guide tracks and engagement with another previously disengaged guide track, with the third guide track remaining in engagement. Two similar discharge ducts can be arranged mirror-like in a common rotatable support at opposite sides of a cartridge ejection duct also in the support.

United States Patent [191 Fammler 1 Sept. 11%, E973 AUTOMATIC FIREARM DISPOSED IN A GUN TURRET AND PIVOTABLE IN THE VERTICAL DIRECTION [75] Inventor: Karl Fammler, Dusseldorf, Germany [73] Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH, Dusseldorf,

Germany [22] Filed: May 9, 1972 [211 App]. No.: 251,788

[52] US. Cl. 89/33 BB, 89/33 F, 89/35 A, 89/36 K, 193/43 A [51] Int. Cl. F4ld 9/02 [58] Field of Search 89/33 R, 33 BB, 33 F, 89/35 A, 36 H, 36 K, 40 B; 193/25 AC, 43 A [56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,817,999 12/1957 Cowburn et al 89/33 F Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Attorney-Paul M. Craig, Jr. et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A discharge duct arrangement for discharging belt links of a disintegrating cartridge belt from a firearm. The discharge duct arrangement is particularly adapted for belt links consisting of a double clip for holding a cartridge, a single clip for connecting the link to the next adjacent cartridge and a bracket connecting the double clip to the single clip. Three guide tracks are arranged in the discharge duct for slidably engaging the respective single clip, double clip and bracket as the links pass through the duct. These guide tracks are positioned such that only two of the tracks engage the belt at any given time and such that the belt link is inclined slightly as it is guided through the duct. When used with a pivotable turret, rotation of the duct with the turret may cause a tilting of the belt clip and consequent disengagement from one of the guide tracks and engagement with another previously disengaged guide track, with the third guide track remaining in engagement. Two similar discharge ducts can be arranged mirrorlike in a common rotatable support at opposite sides of a cartridge ejection duct also in the support.

to Claims, 7 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC FIREARM DISPOSED IN A GUN TURRET AND PIVOTABLE IN THE VERTICAL DIRECTION BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cartridge and cartridge belt discharge arrangements for use with an automatic firearm, particularly an automatic cannon of the type disposed in a gun turret and pivotable in the vertical direction.

Ammunition is fed to such firearms in most cases by means of a disintegrating belt via a belt feeder. The empty belt links are discharged through an opening, in most cases rectangular, provided at the belt feeder. A correspondingly rectangular shaped well may adjoin this opening. In this type of construction, especially when using the firearm on a tank travelling on uneven terrain, and also when firing with a high-angle trajectory, the belt links occasionally become accumulated and jammed up in the discharge well, which finally results in functional disturbances in the firearm.

It-has been proposed to provide a gun turret having automatic firearms arranged laterally in the turret wall wherein, for the ejection of the empty belt links from the interior of the turret, respectively one ejector duct for the belt links and the cartridge cases is provided in the mounting part of the firearm. In this arrangement, since the firearms are mounted unilaterally in the lateral turret wall, only comparatively short ducts are required. However, a safe ejection of the belt links is not ensured, since the latter may occasionally jam within the ejector duct.

It is comtemplated by the present invention to provide a safe and troublefree discharge of the belt links even under those circumstances wherein a comparatively longer discharge duct is necessary for ejecting the belt links from the interior of the turret, and when the firearm is deployed in uneven terrain and when firing at a relatively large elevation.

The arrangement of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with an automatic firearm disposed in a gun turret, expecially in a turret ofa tank or armored car which is pivotable in the vertical direction. The present invention contemplates an ammunition feed constituted by a disintegrating belt and a discharge duct for the belt links, which belt links consist of a single clip or clamp and a double clip joined together by a bracket. This invention contemplates the provision of a guide groove corresponding to the width of the single clip on one longitudinal side of a rectangular crosssectional form discharge duct with a first guide track or guideway in the groove for the ridge or back of the single clip. The invention further contemplates arranging a second, divided guide track in parallel to the first guide track, for the ridges of the double clip, as well as a third track, provided at a spacing from the second guide track in parallel thereto, for the connecting bracket between the single and double clips; and selecting the distances between the guide tracks in such manner that the belt links are guided at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the duct along two of the guide tracks.

The arrangement of the three guide tracks is such that at most two of the three tracks will engage the clip at a given time, the particular two tracks in engagement depending on the time the particular angular orientation of the belt link with respect to the longitudinal axis of the duct.

This arrangement of the present invention provides a very good and low-friction guidance of the belt links since the belt links contact in each case only with curved points two of the guide tracks; consequently, a snagging or jamming of the ends of the bracket in the duct is eliminated. This secure guidance action, effecting a uniform sliding of the belt links, is also maintained when the discharge duct is rotated through and angle, even an angle of 180. Since the duct guidance system can be rotated through any angle, the invention can also be advantageously employed in an automatic firearm with a twin belt feeder by providing two discharge ducts in a mirror-image relationship to each other on opposite sides of the firearm and by mounting these ducts to be rotatable in he turret wall by means of a common support.

In a further advantageous embodiment of this invention, a channel for the shell case ejection is disposed additionally in the common support.

In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein, for the sake of clarity, varying scales were employed for the individual illustrations, to wit:

FIG. I is a schematic sectional view through a gun turret with an automatic cannon and a twin belt feeder according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa belt link of the disintegrating belt used with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a belt link discharge duct according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal schematic view taken from a position perpendicular to FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and i respectively, showing a mirror-image arrangement of the duct according to the present invention, and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional schematic end view of the support for the discharge ducts of the present invention (as viewed in the direction of arrow P shown in FIG. ll

Numeral ll denotes the gun turret of a tank, which turret is rotatable about a vertical axis and is shown in a simplified representation. By means of a cylindrical mount 2, an automatic cannon 33 is disposed to be pivotable in the vertical direction in this gun turret. In order to be able to fire various types of cmmunition, the firearm is associated with a twin belt feeding mech anism 4 to which the cartridges are fed from ammuni tion magazines, not shown, by means of two cartridge belts 5 consisting of disintegrating belts. The firearm is disposed in the cylindrical mount 2 so that its firing direction is displaced by with respect to he horizontal pivot axis x of the firearm. That is, the cartridge case ejector 6 is disposed in the horizontal pivot axis x of the firearm, and the belt feeder 4 is arranged in the same position. On opposite sides of the firearm, in mirrorimage relation, belt link discharge ducts 7 and 7' are connected to the twin belt feeder. These discharge ducts 7, 7' extend in an approximately horizontal direction laterally through the gun turret and are mounted in a common support 8 which is disposed in the turret wall to be rotatable about the axis x. Along the axis x, between the two discharge ducts '7 and 7, an ejection channel or duct 9 is provided for ejecting the cartridge cases from the firearm.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the belt links I'll of the disintegrating belts 5 consist in each case of a single clip Ill and a double clip I2 joined together by a connecting bracket 13. The bracket 13 is centrally disposed along the longitudinal axis of the belt. These belt links are constructed such that, when loaded with cartridges, the cartridges are held in the twin clips while the single clips, which surround the cartridge cases with a certain amount of play, constitute a hinged or articulated connection of the belt links to adjacent cartridge cases.

The discharge ducts 7 and 7' have an essentially rectangular cross-sectional configuration and are formed from an approximately U-shapes rail or bar 14. A fillet 15 is inserted in the open side of this rail. The inside diameter of the duct is somewhat larger than the width of the belt links. In the fillet 15, a guide groove 16 is provided corresponding to the width of the single clip 11, with a first guide track 17 for the outer curved surface of the single clip 1 l. A second, divided guide track 18 for the outer curved surfaces of the double clip 12 is provided at the fillet in parallel to this guide track 17. A rail 19 with a third guide track 20, which rail extends into the interior of the duct cross-section, is arranged on the side opposite to the fillet. This third guide track 20 is intended for guiding the connecting bracket 13. The spacings between the individual guide tracks are selected so that the belt links are guided along at most two of the guide tracks and at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the duct.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the belt link rests, with the rounded surface of the connecting bracket 13, on the guide track 20, and the outer curved surface of the single clip is in contact with the guide track 17, whereas a small play or spacing exists between the curved portion of the double clip 12 and the guide track 18. Upon an inclined disposition of the duct, this play permits the belt link to tilt by a mirror amount, whereby the double clip 12 comes in contact with the guide track 118 with a consequent transfer of the play or spacing to between the single clip 11 and the guide track 17.

This mode of guidance, wherein the belt link is in each instance guided along two out of three guide tracks, is in each instance guided along two out of three guide tracks, is also realized in the mirror-image arrangement of the discharge duct according to FIGS. and 6. in this case, the ridge or back of the single clip 11 slides along the guide track 17, and the ridges of the double clip 12 slide along the track 18, whereas there is a play between the bracket 13 and the guide track 20.

The belt links slide, in the manner described above, in the ducts with an extra ordinarily low amount of friction and without jamming. The belt links are conveyed through the duct, in succession, by the respectively following belt links ejected from the belt feeder. Since they are slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axial extent of the ducts, the belt links exhibit curved surfaces for engaging the next adjacent belt links in the duct without jamming.

While 1 have shown and described one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto, but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to a person skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are within the scope of those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A discharge arrangement for use with a firearm in discharging belt links of a disintegrating cartridge belt of the type wherein the belt links each consist of a double clip joined to a single clip by a bracket, one of said clips being operative to clamp a cartridge and the other of said clips being operative to connect the belt link to the next adjacent cartridge, said arrangment comprising: at least one longitudinally extending discharge duct having one end in communication with a supply of belt links to be discharged from the fireann and the other end opening to a discharge area, first guide means for guidingly engaging the single clip of a belt link as it passes through the duct, second guide means for guidingly engaging the double clip of the belt link as it passes through the duct, and third guide means for guidingly engaging the bracket member of the belt link as it passes through the duct; wherein said first, second, and third guide means are constructed such that the belt link is guidingly engaged with at most two of the guide means at any given position of the belt link as it passes through the duct, the particular guide means being engaged at a particular position thereof along the longitudinal axis of the duct depending upon the particular angular orientation of said belt link with respect to the longitudinal axis of the duct.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said clips on said belt links have curved inwardly facing surfaces for engaging cartridges, the axes of curvature of said curved surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said duct when said belt links are passing through said duct, and wherein said first guide means includes a longitudinally extending guide groove in said duct, said guide groove having a width corresponding to the width of said single clip, said guide groove including a first guide track for slidably engaging an outwardly facing surface of said single clip.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said second guide means includes a second divided guide track for slidably engaging outwardly facing surfaces of said double clip, said second track extending longitudinally within said duct in parallel relationship to said first track.

41. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said third guide means includes a third guide track for slidably engaging the bracket member, said third guide track extending longitudinally within said duct in parallel relationship to said first and second tracks.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said first, second, and third guide tracks are spaced from one another such that said belt link is guided through said duct in an inclined position with respect to the longitudinal axis of said duct and such that said belt link slidably engages at most two of said guide tracks at any given position within the duct, a change in the relative longitudinal inclination of said belt link with respect to said longitudinal axis of the duct being effective to disengage one of said guide tracks from the corresponding surface on said belt link and, if said change in inclination is sufficiently great, the one of said guide tracks previously out of engagement with said belt link will become engaged therewith.

6. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said duct has a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein said groove forming the first guide track is provided in a first side wall of said duct, and wherein said second guide track is provided in said first side wall at opposite sides of said groove.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said third guide track is provided on a rail extending from a second side wall of said duct in the direction of said first and second guide tracks, said second side wall being parallel and opposite to said first side wall.

8. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein two similar discharge ducts are provided, said ducts being arranged in a mirror-image relationship at opposite sides of the firearm for accommodating a twin cartridge belt feeder, said ducts being rotatably supported in a turret wall of the firearm by means of common support.

9. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein two similar discharge ducts are provided, said ducts being arranged in a mirror-image relationship at opposite sides of the firearm for accommodating a twin cartridge belt feeder, said ducts being rotatably supported in a turret wall of the firearm by means of a common support.

10. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein two similar discharge ducts are provided, said ducts being arranged in a mirror-image relationship at opposite sides of the firearm for accommodating a twin cartridge belt feeder, said ducts being rotatably supported in a turret wall of the firearm by means of a common support.

ll. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said firearm is an automatic cannon for a tank or the like which is pivotable about a horizontally extending axis, said common support being rotatable about said horizontally extending axis for accommodating pivotal movement of said cannon.

12. An arrangement according to claim wherein a cartridge ejection duct is disposed in the common support.

13. An arrangement according to claim l2, wherein said ejection duct extends approximately parallel to said discharge ducts.

M. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said ejection duct is arranged between said discharge ducts and is constructed with a rectangular crosssection.

15. An arrangement according to claim l3, wherein said common support is a cylindrically shaped member rotatably supported in said turret by hearing means.

16. An arrangement according to claim 111, wherein a rectangular cross-section cartridge duct extends through said common support in parallel relationship to said discharge ducts.

4 t l= t t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. ,136 Dated Sept. 18, 1973 Inventofls) Karl Farnmler It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title page, please add the following:

Foreign Application Priority Data May 27,1971 Germany P 2-1 26294.2

Signed and sealeci this 30th day of July 1974.

v (S Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN "l Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents oam PO-IOSO (so-s9) j uscomwoc 60 16.; 3 r v us. GQVIINIINY 'IIN'IIIG SYNC! I... 0-!ll-lll p UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,759,136 Dated 7 Sept. 18, 1973- Inventor(s) Karl Fammler It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title page, please add the following:

Foreign Application Priority, Data May 27,, 1971 Germahy P 21 26294.2

Signed andsealed this 30th day of July 1974.

. (S Attest: I

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN f Attesting Officer Y Commissioner of Patents oam po-1o50 (1 USCOMM-DC scan-Pee v t 0,5, GOVIINIINI nmmu; ornctnu o-nn-ua 

1. A discharge arrangement for use with a firearm in discharGing belt links of a disintegrating cartridge belt of the type wherein the belt links each consist of a double clip joined to a single clip by a bracket, one of said clips being operative to clamp a cartridge and the other of said clips being operative to connect the belt link to the next adjacent cartridge, said arrangment comprising: at least one longitudinally extending discharge duct having one end in communication with a supply of belt links to be discharged from the firearm and the other end opening to a discharge area, first guide means for guidingly engaging the single clip of a belt link as it passes through the duct, second guide means for guidingly engaging the double clip of the belt link as it passes through the duct, and third guide means for guidingly engaging the bracket member of the belt link as it passes through the duct; wherein said first, second, and third guide means are constructed such that the belt link is guidingly engaged with at most two of the guide means at any given position of the belt link as it passes through the duct, the particular guide means being engaged at a particular position thereof along the longitudinal axis of the duct depending upon the particular angular orientation of said belt link with respect to the longitudinal axis of the duct.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said clips on said belt links have curved inwardly facing surfaces for engaging cartridges, the axes of curvature of said curved surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said duct when said belt links are passing through said duct, and wherein said first guide means includes a longitudinally extending guide groove in said duct, said guide groove having a width corresponding to the width of said single clip, said guide groove including a first guide track for slidably engaging an outwardly facing surface of said single clip.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said second guide means includes a second divided guide track for slidably engaging outwardly facing surfaces of said double clip, said second track extending longitudinally within said duct in parallel relationship to said first track.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said third guide means includes a third guide track for slidably engaging the bracket member, said third guide track extending longitudinally within said duct in parallel relationship to said first and second tracks.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said first, second, and third guide tracks are spaced from one another such that said belt link is guided through said duct in an inclined position with respect to the longitudinal axis of said duct and such that said belt link slidably engages at most two of said guide tracks at any given position within the duct, a change in the relative longitudinal inclination of said belt link with respect to said longitudinal axis of the duct being effective to disengage one of said guide tracks from the corresponding surface on said belt link and, if said change in inclination is sufficiently great, the one of said guide tracks previously out of engagement with said belt link will become engaged therewith.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said duct has a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein said groove forming the first guide track is provided in a first side wall of said duct, and wherein said second guide track is provided in said first side wall at opposite sides of said groove.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said third guide track is provided on a rail extending from a second side wall of said duct in the direction of said first and second guide tracks, said second side wall being parallel and opposite to said first side wall.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein two similar discharge ducts are provided, said ducts being arranged in a mirror-image relationship at opposite sides of the firearm for accommodating a twin cartridge belt feeder, saId ducts being rotatably supported in a turret wall of the firearm by means of common support.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein two similar discharge ducts are provided, said ducts being arranged in a mirror-image relationship at opposite sides of the firearm for accommodating a twin cartridge belt feeder, said ducts being rotatably supported in a turret wall of the firearm by means of a common support.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein two similar discharge ducts are provided, said ducts being arranged in a mirror-image relationship at opposite sides of the firearm for accommodating a twin cartridge belt feeder, said ducts being rotatably supported in a turret wall of the firearm by means of a common support.
 11. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said firearm is an automatic cannon for a tank or the like which is pivotable about a horizontally extending axis, said common support being rotatable about said horizontally extending axis for accommodating pivotal movement of said cannon.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein a cartridge ejection duct is disposed in the common support.
 13. An arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said ejection duct extends approximately parallel to said discharge ducts.
 14. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said ejection duct is arranged between said discharge ducts and is constructed with a rectangular cross-section.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said common support is a cylindrically shaped member rotatably supported in said turret by bearing means.
 16. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein a rectangular cross-section cartridge duct extends through said common support in parallel relationship to said discharge ducts. 